At first glance, Mitchell LeBlanc's journey from philosophy graduate to a sci-fi, horror, and thriller screenwriter might seem unconventional. But for the 2017 Screenwriting and Narrative Design alumnus, now an accomplished screenwriter, director, and professor, it's all part of a natural evolution in storytelling.
Launchpad for success
Before enrolling at George Brown College (GBC), LeBlanc had already earned a philosophy degree and a background in comedy writing and performance. However, the college's distinctive program, which blended traditional screenwriting with video game narrative design, piqued his interest.
"I was already screenwriting, but I was really looking to find others to work with," LeBlanc reflects. "The program had a good sense of self-direction; it provided a structure for me to work on ideas that I knew I wanted to finish."
The program proved transformative for LeBlanc's career. "There's a sense in my trajectory where you're chaining momentum together, and George Brown was pivotal in that because a lot of things that I would later go on to finish started in the program."
Defining 'The Weird'
LeBlanc has carved out a niche in what he calls "the Weird" – a genre that transcends traditional horror and science fiction. Drawing inspiration from writers like Edgar Allan Poe and the late filmmaker David Lynch, LeBlanc's work explores the uncanny and unsettling. "This metaphorical layer allows you to tell stories that are very real," he explains. "The horrors of procrastination, the grief of losing a kid, trying to cope with being in a toxic relationship – but you get to add an element on top of it that, even if you're not getting those subtextual layers, you're still enjoying a good story."
Since graduating, LeBlanc's unique style has garnered attention. His recent accomplishments include being selected for the Warner Bros. Discovery and Canadian Academy programs, a residency at the Canadian Film Centre, a feature film option for Warner Bros., and an invitation to pitch at the Tribeca Festival Creator’s Market through the Hillman Grad Rising Voices program.
LeBlanc is currently developing several features and a couple of series for Canadian and American studios, which are still hush-hush. He has much to be excited about for 2025, including directing his first feature film.
Teaching the next generation
Now a part-time professor at GBC, LeBlanc finds deep satisfaction in guiding new screenwriters through their first feature film scripts and helping them navigate the emotional journey of long-form writing. "I really get to shepherd them through the stages of excitement about the idea, the crippling self-doubt, and back to excitement," he explains. "Every year, it's really rewarding to watch students power through because that's the biggest lesson – you get to see them evolve as writers."
As for the future of storytelling in an age of AI and industry upheaval, LeBlanc remains optimistic: "Cinema's a young art form – it hasn't existed for a long time. But it's reinvented itself in the face of every challenge that it's hit thus far,” and adds, “I believe a storyteller will always be in control of telling the story. The whole point is to experience a story told to us by a human so that we can find our own humanity in it.”
Advice for aspiring screenwriters
For those following in his footsteps, LeBlanc emphasizes the importance of community: "Find your group and find your people early. My network has been one of the biggest benefits I've had. Don't go it alone – you can't make it alone. "
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